South Japan Nature Tour - 13 Nights / 14 Days

On the second day in Okinawa, you can explore the vast history of the city. You can explore the stunning Shurijo Castle, a reconstructed castle that is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Castle displays the rich history and royalty of the region. You can also visit the Nakagusuku & Zakimi Castle Ruins, an ancient ruin, which offers you a deep insight into the rich history, and offers a stunning view. 

Overnight Stay- Okinawa

On the third day in Okinawa, you can experience the stunning landscape, which features pristine white sand, diverse coral reefs, and dense forest. You can explore Cape Hedo, the northernmost point of the Okinawa island, which offers you a majestic view of the coastline.

You can also visit the picturesque Kouri Island, which is renowned for its heart-shaped rock formations, along with clear waters. 

On the fourth day of the tour, you can explore the culturally rich villages of Okinawa. You can explore the beautiful Kunigami-son, or Kunigami Village, a northernmost village, which preserves the subtropical forests of Yambaru National Park.

You can also visit the Nakijin-son, which houses the iconic Nakijin Castle ruins, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Okinawa also houses the Kitanakagusuku-son, a beautiful village, which houses the remnants of old Ryukyu culture.

On the final day in Okinawa, you can explore the bustling city and its vibrant markets. You can visit the renowned Makishi Public Market, which is among the largest public markets in Okinawa. The market offers fresh seafood, along with local vegetables and traditional sweets.

You can also explore the Kokusai-dori market, which is also known as the International Street. The market displays the energy of the city and offers a wide range of souvenirs, along with local arts and crafts.

In Okinawa, you can feast on some of the authentic and regional dishes, like Rafute, Taco Rice, Goya Champuru, Okinawan Soba, and Agu Pork, among others.

Overnight Stay- Amami

On the second day in Amami, you can explore the cultural sites on Amami Island. You can visit the Tanaka Isson Memorial Art Museum, which features stunning Tanaka Isson and also depicts a diverse range of flora and fauna.

On the island, you can also visit the Ayamaru Misaki, a scenic observation deck, along with a sea pool and a stunning ocean view. In Amami, you can also explore a wide range of watersports and experiences, like snorkeling, diving, kayaking, scuba diving, and jet-skiing, among others. 

On your last day in Amami Island, you can experience the rich culture and local flavours. You can visit the renowned Tomori Beach and Honohoshi Beach on the island, which features major cultural significance and is among the most beautiful natural spots for enjoying a relaxing moment.

You can also take a leisurely stroll across Yango Street, which is the prime commercial area in the region. In Amami, you can also taste the local and authentic dishes in the region, which include Keihan, Abura Somen, Mada Soup, and Inaka Sushi, among others. 

After exploring Amami, you can move to Yakushima, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, which takes about 7 to 8 hours to reach from Amami by ferry.

On the first day in Yakushima, you can visit the Yakusugi museum, which conserves the diverse ecology and vast history of the Yakusugi forest. You can also visit the ancient 1,000-year-old cedar tree, Jomon Sugi, which acts as the symbol of the island. 

In Yakushima, you can explore various key natural and scenic attractions, like the renowned Oko No Taki Fall, the largest waterfall on the island. The waterfall features an 88-meter drop and symbolises the lush nature of the island.

You can also visit the Nagata Inakahama Beach, among the most popular beaches in the region, which is also a significant nesting site for sea turtles. 

Overnight Stay- Yakushima

On the third day in Yakushima, you can move towards the renowned Shiratani Unsuikyo Valley. The valley features an ancient and moss-filled forest, which boasts Yakusugi cedars.

The valley also preserves the remnant of Japan's old-growth forest, and is also recognised globally as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The valley and forest also embodied a theme from Mononoke and the folklore of the nation.

From Yakushima, you can move towards Kagoshima, a seaside city in Japan, which houses stunning natural attractions, along with rich cultural and historic influences. Located about 4 hours away from Yakushima, by a ferry, Kagoshima is home to the powerful Sakurajima Volcano, an active volcano, along with the ancient Satsuma Domain, a power centre for the Shimazu Clan.

On your first day, you can visit Kagoshima City Aquarium, which displays diverse marine life from the region. You can also visit the Tenmonkan, the prime downtown area, which houses shopping centres, dining, and entertainment centres.

Overnight Stay- Kagoshima

On the second day in Kagoshima, you can explore the region's rich culture and stunning natural sites. You can explore the majestic Sakurajima, an active volcano, which is accessible by ferry.

At the volcano, you can visit the Yunohira Observatory, which is the closest point near the crater of Sakurajima. You can also witness the majestic Saigo Takamori Statue, a prominent landmark in the city, which honours the famous samurai. 

Overnight Stay- Kagoshima

In Kagoshima, you can explore the Kagoshima Castle Ruins, a powerful castle of the Kagoshima Clan, which features the majestic Goromon Gate.

You can visit the historic Sengen-en garden, a 350-year-old garden, situated within the former residence of the Shimazu Clan. The garden offers a scenic view of Sakurajima and the nearby bay.

Departing From Kagoshima